Wisconsin Badgers: Living without basketball and football

For the first time since September, Wisconsin Badgers sports fans are left without football and basketball. Naturally, sports bring their fans a lot of joy, but they also bring heartbreak (Looking at you, Florida). This may be the time for us Wisconsin sports fans to decompress and reflect on the success of Wisconsin sports.

Volleyball played in the Elite Eight, women’s hockey played in a national championship, football beat a really good Western Michigan team in the Cotton Bowl, and basketball made it to the Sweet Sixteen for the fourth year in a round, behind a special senior class.

Despite the big moneymaking sports ending for the year, there are still other sports to watch. For example, Badgers women’s softball is making waves early in the season. The Badgers are led by senior catcher Chloe Miller. Miller not only leads the Big Ten in batting average, but also the nation. She also leads the Big Ten in on base percentage and slugging percentage, and nationally, she is in the top ten for both. The Badgers boast a 23-6 record, and were ranked for the first time in a few years. You can find the Badgers at Goodman Diamond nine more times this year, as they finish the remainder of the Big Ten season.

The fastest sport to watch the remainder of the year is definitely men’s and women’s track and field. The outdoor season just started, and the Badgers will only compete in Madison once this year. Regardless, a collegiate track meet is a sight to see. Hundreds of athletes from dozens of schools come together and compete in the all day meet. The athleticism on display is sure to amaze viewers, and high level track meets are a surprisingly great way to spend a day out in the sun and watch the best of the best compete.

If you are tired of the collegiate sports scene, there’s always the professional realm. If you still need your basketball fix, the Milwaukee Bucks have a few regular season games left, and at this point have all but clinched a playoff spot. If that is indeed the case, fans get extra time before all parts of Wisconsin basketball officially come to an end.

The university may not have a baseball team, but at least the state of Wisconsin has the Milwaukee Brewers. Admittedly, watching the Brewers in the past has been difficult at times, but it’s a new year and there is always reason for hope. Fortunately, baseball season is incredibly long, and should hold sports fans over until September.

Madison is known as America’s best college town for a reason. There’s more to Badger sports than football and basketball. During this offseason, Wisconsin sports fans have the ability to prove their dedication to the entire state.